Thursday, December 15, 2011

Bear With Me, Part 1

'Tis the season...to wear wooly sweaters and create, give, or play with cuddly, fuzzy toys. Therefore, this seems a good time to bring up the subject of teddy bears. Like many crafters, my mom went through a teddy bear phase in the 1980s--and I got caught in the ricochet. I even did a number of drawings and watercolors. 
        In her usual, enthusiastic manner, she bought numerous books and fabrics, collected patterns, and made bears. As she was a chain knitter (otherwise she would have been a chain smoker), she collected knitting patterns for the bears’ clothing and accessories as well. During one of my summer visits, then, we had a teddy bear 'workshop' in which we chose several patterns, bought fabric, and then, we each made bears. 
My mom's bears were better. She could do anything if given a pattern and so she made many and became an expert. 
Here are my three "twin" bears. I inserted a music box with “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” song into the burgundy bear. 


My mom must have given most of the bears away as gifts, but the ones she made with me that summer always stayed with her. And I never understood the significance of that until I shared this story with you. They were “family,” she had made them with me.
Now the bears are reunited and sit on my grandmother’s chair with the Cinderella doll that my mom knit from a pattern. 

        And may you have a Bear-y Happy Holiday Season with your loved ones!



11 comments:

CREATIVE KHADIJA said...

Wao,,these bears are so cute..lovely! & dear friend memories are always sweet!
Winter is in its peak these days in Pakistan but one of my friend is living in another city of PK & she was telling me that fans are on there..oops!what a difference between two cities weather..

Cate Rose said...

Great story, Nadia. How lovely to have the bear family, still. Happy Holidays to you, too! Hugs.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Do you know what a group of bears is called? A hug!

Merilyn said...

Lovely post!!! Those bears are just gorgeous, I know a few people who make them, but I haven't ventured there yet myself!! Wishing you and yours a great holiday season!!!

Norma Schlager said...

What is it about Teddy bears that make them so appealing? They are hard to resist. I don't have a collection, but I sure enjoyed seeing yours and reading about you and your mom.
Your post about the troubles in your part of the world was so interesting. Living here in peace and comfort, it is hard to imagine being in a place that is so volatile. Be safe and be well and keep giving us your wonderful posts.
PS My word verification is "safer"

Jacky said...

You have a beary merry Christmas season too.
How lovely to have such a sentimental bear family. Thank you for sharing that story with us...so special your 'twins'.
Weather, it is quite unseasonable cool over here in Australia for December (I am happy about that, quite pleasant. We normally have our fans on at this time of year.

Enjoy your 'hug' of bears and have a wonderful Christmas!

Jacky xox

Carli The Quilter said...

Wow, those are lovely bears Nadia! I always wanted a handmade bear and still none arrived. Santa's workshop must be so busy with other things!

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story! I used to collect bears and each one always had a story. Thank you for sharing. Your blog is wonderful!

Chris said...

Lovely story, Nadia. I have connections with ancestors in my works too - it's a warm feeling to connect with all those women who came before.

Merry Christmas to you and blessings in the New Year!

Chris

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

What beautiful bears and lovely story as well. Those special family times are remembered every time we see those special treasures. Thanks for sharing.

Rachaeldaisy said...

I missed this post. I'm so glad I found it, such lovely, sweet bears. They really do have personalities.